Cancer Council welcomes smokefree announcement

News
today that smokefree areas in Victoria will be extended has been
welcomed by the Cancer Council Victoria.

An
article appearing in this morning’s newspaper indicates the State
Government will amend legislation to increase areas where community
will protected from second-hand smoke.

Cancer
Council Victoria CEO, Mr Todd Harper said the action on smokefree
environments represented a step forward, and showed the Government
was committed to improving the health of Victorians.

“Extending
smokefree outdoor areas is an
important part of any strategy to reduce impacts of smoking and
particularly protect the health and safety of hospitality workers.”

“I am
looking forward to examining the detail of proposed changes and how
they will apply to dining and drinking areas.”

The
announcement is in line with current community expectations; with a
recent survey from cancer Council Victoria reveal more than 7 out of
10 Victorians support smoking bands in outdoor drinking and dining
areas.

Cancer Council Victoria would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We would also like to pay respect to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal people.